LOWER LAKE, Calif. – On Sunday, the Lower Lake Community Action Group is sponsoring its annual Lower Lake Daze Memorial Day parade and celebration.

“It’s been a part of Lower Lake history for 50 years,” said Lower Lake Community Action Group President Mike Dean.

Lake County Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Charlie Diener will be the grand marshall of the parade.

Being a fireman is in Diener’s blood as his father, Bill Diener, was the fire chief of Lower Lake Fire District in 1963, the year Charlie was born.

As a volunteer and paid fireman for 36 years, Battalion Chief Diener will continue to volunteer long after he retires in 2019.

The parade begins at 11 a.m. and continues until noon.

Also in the parade will be pets, dancing horses (FFA members Pooper Scoopers will be right behind the horses), Clear Lake Car Club, a Mariachi band, the Military and a Colour Guard to honor the militaries’ fallen heroes.

Dean said the most unusual pets that he remembers being in the parade in years past were a “miniature pot belly pig and a very big snake!”

After the parade at noon, there will be an old time barbecue at the Russell Rustici Community Park, located behind the Brick Hall, Main Street and Mill.

Parade awards will be presented at 1:30 p.m. in the park. So come to win.

Live music of Tattooed Cherries will play at the park, where vendor booths will also be located.

In a community effort, Lower Lake High School students will help with the parade and food.

Lakeshore Lions Club is providing spirits and the Clearlake Car Club will stage their cars by the Fire Department for the public to enjoy.

Proceeds benefit the Lower Lake schools and community.

Lucy Llewellyn Byard is a correspondent for Lake County News. She lives in Lucerne.